Handball chiefs urged to resign over bikini bottoms rule

Women’s sports associations accuse heads of IHF and EHF of ‘blatant sexism’ after Norwegian team fined

Angela Giuffrida
Tue 10 Aug 2021 13.43 BST

Women’s sports associations across Europe have called for the resignation of the presidents of both the international and European handball federations, accusing them of “blatant sexism” for rules that require female players to wear bikini bottoms.

The Norwegian women’s beach handball team was fined €1,500 (£1,270) for wearing shorts in protest against the rule during a European Beach Handball Championships match against Spain in Varna, Bulgaria, on 19 July.

The European Handball Federation (EHF) said the Norwegian team were disciplined because of “improper clothing”. In a subsequent statement, the EHF said that, alongside the International Handball Federation (IHF), it was “committed to popularising beach handball” and that the matter of players’ uniforms would be discussed during a meeting of the newly elected commission in August.

The fine, which equated to €150 for each player, was paid for by the Norwegian Handball Federation, which had previously made an official complaint against the bikini bottoms rule.

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